Morigasaki Coast c. 1928 - 1930

Tsuchiya Koitsu made this gorgeous print of the Morigasaki Coast sometime in the 20th century. It's all about the blues, the grays, and the blacks, but it's not depressing. I imagine him layering color upon color, with a kind of watery ink, letting the image emerge, slowly. The moon is just a sliver, but it casts a warm, inviting glow on the boat and the water. The fishermen are silhouetted against the night sky, but they seem to be working together peacefully. I wonder what they're thinking as they cast their nets into the water. Maybe they're hoping for a big catch, or maybe they're just enjoying the quiet of the night. It reminds me of other nocturnal paintings by Whistler and the Hudson River school, which evoke a similar sense of mystery and contemplation. Making art is about embracing the unknown and trusting your instincts. The result is an image that invites us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of the world around us.